Wesley Snipes made millions playing a half-man, half-vampire in the “Blade” trilogy, but believed he didn’t have to pay any federal income taxes, according to prosecutors.
The 45-year-old action star, who faces a trial starting today (Monday) on tax fraud and conspiracy charges, claims he was a victim of unscrupulous advice and didn’t know he was doing anything illegal.
“He was completely innocent and he acted in good faith — not with any bad purpose or criminal intent to deceive or defraud the (Internal Revenue Service) at all,” defense attorney Robert Barnes said.
Snipes also was paying millions in federal income taxes, until 2000 when he accepted the argument by two Florida men that he didn’t have to, prosecutors say. Citing a long-rejected interpretation of federal tax code popular with tax protesters, Snipes allegedly tried to collect millions in illegal refunds.
If convicted, he faces up to 16 years in federal prison. Co-defendants Eddie Ray Kahn and Douglas P. Rosile could face 10 years.
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.
